No one was surprised that Pope Francis I began his first day as head of the world’s largest church at the feet of Our Lady, having already informed the Vatican that his first private Mass should be delayed long enough for him to “visit the icon of the holy mother.”
Various news sources are reporting that Pope Francis traveled to the Basilica of St. Mary Major this morning where he and a few prelates slipped in a side door and went straight to the feet of the Madonna, Protectress of the Roman People. There he knelt in silent prayer for half an hour.
According to New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a few minutes after he was elected pope, he specifically asked his fellow cardinals if they would mind delaying his first private Mass at the Sistine Chapel in order to allow him to visit “the holy mother”.
Meanwhile, the world has reacted positively to the election of the first man from the Americas to be elected Pope.
After offering “warm wishes” to the new pope, President Barack Obama added: “As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day.”
On behalf of the 1.8 million members of the Knights of Columbus, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson extended cordial best wishes and prayers to the newly elected pope.
“The election of Pope Francis – the first pope from the American hemisphere – highlights the fact that America is the continent of baptized Christians, and a place of central importance to the faith today. Pope Francis is well known also for his emphasis on charity – the first principle of the Knights of Columbus. Both in our efforts for evangelization and in our charitable work, we will strive with him to bring the light of Christ to the people of our continent during his historic pontificate.”
Pro-life groups also reacted with joy at the election of a man who is known for his long-standing commitment to the dignity of life from conception to natural death.
“We now welcome Pope Francis I, who we pray to God follows in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi,” says Judie Brown, president of American Life League and three-time appointee to the Pontifical Academy for Life.
“Recall that Christ said to St. Francis, ‘Rebuild my Church!’ This is the very challenge that our new Pope will have to confront. We need to pray for our new Holy Father, do penance and make sacrifices for him and do all we can to intercede, asking our Lord in our prayers that this new pope will indeed rebuild.”
She adds: “No more talk of compromise on questions of abortion, contraception, homosexuality or euthanasia. No more tolerance for those who claim to be Catholic while supporting vile acts such as abortion. Please join me in thanking God for our new Pope. Let us pray without ceasing for him.”
A fellow Jesuit had this to say about the new Pope.
“There are Jesuits and Jesuits,” said Father Joseph Fessio, S.J., in an email to Matt Abbott of the Renew America blog. “He is a loyal, articulate, courageous defender of the Magisterium. He also has a great love and concern for the poor – which causes some to classify him as ‘liberal.’ Well, he’s just as liberal as John Paul II and Benedict XVI, but he’s had the experience of living [in] poverty for many years.”
His peers have nothing but praise for the new Pope Francis I. Philadelphia’s Archbishop Charles Chaput still has a gift given to him by the former Cardinal Bergoglio – a portrait of Mary, the Mother of God – which still sits on his desk.
“Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Bergoglio, is a man from the new heartland of the global Church; a priest of extraordinary intellectual and cultural strengths; a man deeply engaged in the issues of contemporary life and able to speak to the modern heart; open to the new realities the Church faces; and rooted in a deep love of Jesus Christ. He is a wonderful choice; a pastor God sends not just to the Church but to every person of good will who honestly yearns for justice, peace and human dignity in our time.”
He adds: “May God grant him courage and joy, and sustain him with his divine presence.”
Amen!
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